English, baby!

Cougar Mania

Date: Oct 26 2007

Themes: Pop Culture, Romance

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Intro

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prey
draw

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It’s a phenomenon that’s becoming more and more common. All across the United States, people are following the example of 44-year-old Demi Moore and her 29-year-old husband, Ashton Kutcher: Older women are pairing off with younger men.

The slang term for women in their late 30s or older who pursue men in their 20s or teens is cougar. It gets thrown around a lot these days. Watch Amanda tell Devan how someone actually had the nerve to call her a cougar.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Amanda

Devan

Amanda: So I went to the bar the other night and somebody had the audacity of calling me a cougar. Do you know what that is?

Devan: Cougar? You mean like the older woman that likes to sleep with a younger man?

Amanda: Yeah. Apparently that’s what it was and I was kind of offended by that.

Devan: I don’t think you’re old enough to be a cougar.

Amanda: I don’t think so either. I thought there had to be about 20 years difference of the girl and the guy.

Devan: I think that’s about right. Doesn’t the woman have to be at least 40 to technically be a cougar?

Amanda: I think so. And possibly married. And possibly with children. Yeah. So have you ever stopped to think about what the draw is from the woman to the man and the man to the woman in this case?

Devan: Well, I think it’s because they’re both at their sexual peak.

Amanda: I hadn’t really thought about that. So for a guy, what, 20-something?

Devan: I’ve heard that a man’s sexual peak is 18 and a woman’s is 35.

Amanda: Really? So I have two years to go…

Devan: Maybe you should find an 18-year-old in the next couple of years.

Amanda: Maybe! Like your brother, right? Not so much?

Devan: Not so much.

Amanda: Oh. Well it’s weird, because as a mother having a son, I’m not sure how comfortable I would be if he came home in high school and had a 40-year-old girlfriend.

Devan: Yeah. You stay away from my brother.

Amanda: Okay. Good to know. Note to self.

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Discussion

When Amanda went to the bar the other day, someone called her a cougar. Devan says that Amanda is too young to be a cougar and Amanda agrees. They agree that the ideal cougar is over 40, about 20 years older than her lover, possibly married and possibly a mother. Most cougars are also very predatory when it comes to securing their young prey. That’s why they’re named for large, wild cats.

Amanda asks Devan why she thinks older women are going for younger men and vice versa. She immediately responds that she thinks it’s because the male sexual peak is 18 while a woman’s is 35.

Devan’s brother sounds like a good young lover to Amanda, but Devan doesn’t like the idea of them together one bit.

Why do you think older women and younger men get together?

Comments

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frank_br

Brazil

I don’t see anything wrong in a woman date a man younger than her.

If your partner is a good person, enjoy the time with her as much as you can.

Thanks.

Bolinas

Russian Federation

Is it possible to call an older man hunting young girls a cougar? Or is this term only for women?

ttsuka

Japan

Why don’t we have a conversation like this anymore in English, baby!? These days, it’s too PG.

About cougar, do we have a term about older men chasing after young women, which is much more common? Is it Lolita? If both cougar and Lolita were part of human nature, all those relationship inevitably become temporary, since each eventually replaces his/her partner with much younger one.

xixi90

China

If it’s true love,everything will be right,but it’s so hard to meet a right person

shumailakamran

Pakistan

love is not age related .you may fall in love at any age. if you seriously love someone age doesnt matter at all.

aspire1

Germany

I guess they get together because they love each other!

Coolblack

United States

The age is just a number, as long as the man has maturity to keep it on going… that’s ok.

samiqd

Malaysia

I’d love to know cougar. Age doesn’t matter as long as we can be happy.

southern_star

Mexico

I guess it is ok, but I don´t think it last long.

Milenn29

Georgia

If you feel yourself comfortable with your partner-GOOD LUCK!!!)))Life is so shoooort!!!!!!!Don’ think about age and about peopls opinion))))

Naofumi

Japan

Older women have a lot of money and spare time.

On the other hand, younger men have a little money, but they have a lot of spare time.

Thus when an older women ask him out, he can not refuse her request unless he already has a girlfriend.

ola33

Japan

Well, it’s all not for the benefit for the older woman. She’ll be always insecure about her age. Will be getting pills to curb an appetite, different kind of diets, exhausting work outs —it will all mess up her brain and especially if she’s a star, wnhen looking gorgeous is crucial in maintaining the popularity and glamarous image. Though I’ve known ordinary couples with 10 years of differnce (man younger) are successful. And a woman doesn’t look older. It’s all as well genetics. Some people just look young! no matter how old they are. It’s plus for a woman, no for a man though :)

Radhwan

United Arab Emirates

In fact, a very sensitive topic for Muslims to non-Muslims in some religions in the custody of such subjects. In fact the man in the Arab community is older than between couples and this thing is acceptable on both sides but in reverse back this is rare and most important is that the consensus between both and life goes on good and bad conditions.

mansoor05

Pakistan

I’m here to improve my English and meet some foreign friends.

Skype ID: mansoorkhalid05

Email:

mansoor05

Pakistan

I’m here to improve my English and meet some foreign friends.

Skype ID: mansoorkhalid05

Email:

Anthen01

United States

I like women older than me..she teach me what i need to know…

julito

Argentina

in this case, is age gap important ?. It was all in the news: The WEALTHY DUCHESS OF ALBA is marrying in Spain for the third time . She is 85 year old, her husband, 24 years younger , 59 years old. Money, money.

julito

Argentina

At that time when Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore started dating , because of the age gap in this relationship , there was huge headlines in the showbiz newspapers .Now , Demi Moore is divorcing Ashton Kutcher on account of alleged cheating on his part.